Tharstern USA, a global specialist in management information systems for print, packaging and labeling industries, has hired software consultants David Smith and Robert Pevey for the company’s expansion into the North American market.

Smith has over 28 years’ experience in communications developing infrastructure and streamlining business processes in many different industries. He is formerly the principal of Dynamic Print Solutions, providing services for the transformation of print service providers, providing in-depth experience in offset, digital print, workflow automation and web-enabled processes.

An early data-driven print pioneer, Smith has led development of loyalty and branding programs for a Fortune 100 Foodservice company, and held senior operations and business development roles at several successful PI400 printers. He was instrumental in the development of award winning data-driven sales promotions while leading digital print and e-commerce operations for a Fortune 200 insurance company, as well.

Smith has served four years on the Board of Directors and three years as the technical chair for the Digital Solutions Cooperative (Dscoop), an independent community of HP Graphic Arts business owners and technical professionals.

Robert Pevey, also a software consultant, has spent his career in the graphics industry, starting out as a press operator and also owning a shop in California. He is experienced in both sheetfed, as well as flexographic operations. For the last eight years, Pevey ran Robert Pevey Consulting, which specialized in assisting clients to develop standard operating procedures and process improvement within their management system and workflow.

Prior to that, he was a member of the Kodak EMS project as lead consultant in three beta sites. Pevey also spent eight years as a senior application consultant and professional services manager for Programmed Solutions PSI system. His specialties are in SQL data extraction and analysis, crystal reports design, as well as system implementation and user training.

“These two new appointments are a crucial part of our expansion strategy into the US market,” says Bob Moore, chief operating officer for Tharstern USA. “Our team with over 150 years of industry experience can make a significant contribution to our clients. Tharstern’s MIS helps to drive increased profits by helping companies become more efficient and automated. This state-of-the-art software empowers management teams with data to help with effective day-to-day decision-making processes of running a company.”

Tharstern, which launched into the US in the fall, is a leader in the strategy of workflow integration with its MIS. It has established tight integration with other market-leaders, for example Heidelberg and HP – both using Tharstern as a preferred partner for MIS – as well as manroland, Komori, Xerox, Esko, Enfocus Switch, Kodak, Agfa and Fuji.

Tharstern was started more than 30 years ago and has a client base of more than 700 users across the globe. It has 7,000 users of its MIS and workflow solutions, with a 96% customer retention rate.